Dainese confirm Lorenzo Airbag a success in Valencia

Italian manufacturer explains in a statement that the D-Air Airbag used by the Mallorcan rider demonstrated its reliability in a competitive situation.

The activation of the D-Air worn by Jorge Lorenzo on the fourth lap of the Gran Premio Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana, due to the Spaniard’s sudden near high-side, provided manufacturers Dainese with valuable technical feedback.

The Italian company has revealed that the system worked correctly and did not affect Lorenzo’s driving, after reviewing the data provided by the telemetry on board. Dainese concluded that, “Analysis of the lap times for that section of the track indicated a delay of at least six to seven tenths of a second, mainly due to the loss of equilibrium and opening of the Airbag, which then deflated on course, resetting itself within approximately 20 seconds.”

For technicians of the company, this supports the safety of the system and indicates that the inflation of the D-Air has no detrimental effect on the capacity of the rider to control the bike and continue in the race, provided of course that the cause of the sharp change in direction does not result in a fall.

Lorenzo’s moment on lap four was sharp and quick, and by sensing the danger the Airbag activated to allow inflation before any possible impact. Logically, a delayed inflation would not be effective in the case of a fall, and in this instance Lorenzo’s ability to regain control of his YZR-M1 avoided a crash.

Although Lorenzo noted that he lost valuable seconds in his pursuit of Valentino Rossi in the race, he has already made clear that he wishes to continue using the Dainese D-Air, in both training and competition.